Monthly Archives: January 2012

Post navigation

7:00 PM Nature – “Kangaroo Mob”
Meet the mob of street smart kangaroos moving into Australia’s capital city and the ecologists following their every move. Over the course of one drought-stricken year we follow mob leader, Black Spot, and kangaroo mother, Madge, with her two young joeys — mischievous Sonny and tiny pouch-bound Alice. Here is a look at what happens when human development encroaches on wildlife habitat and two very different species are forced to co-exist.

8:00 PM NOVA – “Bombing Hitler’s Dams”
In 1943 a squadron of Lancaster bombers staged one of the most audacious raids in history — destroying two gigantic dams in Germany’s industrial heartland and cutting the water supply to arms factories — with a revolutionary bouncing bomb invented by British engineer Barnes Wallis. Wallis and the pilots of 617 Squadron — a lively mix of Britons, Australians, Americans and Canadians — were hailed as heroes and dealt a mighty blow to the German war machine. In this program, NOVA recreates the extreme engineering challenges faced by Wallis and the pilots with the aid of six spectacular experiments. A crack team of experts including dam engineers, explosives specialists, mechanics and aircrew step into the shoes of the Dambusters and attempt to overcome each obstacle in turn.

Nature at 7 p.m. Sunday introduces a young team of New Guinean scientists on a grueling expedition to find and film the Birds of Paradise, the holy grail of wildlife filmmakers, on “Birds Of The Gods.”

Masterpiece Series at 8 p.m. Sunday and 8 p.m. Saturday presents part one of “Downton Abbey, Series II”. Two years into World War I, Downton Abbey is in turmoil, as Matthew and other young men go to war – or avoid it. The women also pitch in, and many couples see their romantic dreams dashed.

Martin Luther: The Reluctant Revolutionary at 9 p.m. Monday (part 3 of 3) presents the epic tale of the great Protestant revolutionary whose belief in his faith would overthrow the all-powerful Catholic Church and reshape Medieval Europe.

The third episode of the three-part series “Egypt’s Golden Empire” at 7 p.m. Tuesday looks back at the 67-year reign of Ramesses II, that marked the pinnacle of Egypt’s thriving New Kingdom. But with his death at the age of 93 came the inevitable decline of this once-shining civilization.

Billy The Kid: American Experience at 8 p.m. Tuesday offers a fascinating look at the myth and the man behind it, who, in just a few short years transformed himself from a skinny orphan boy to the most feared man in the West and an enduring western icon.

Nature at 7 p.m. Wednesday presents “Kangaroo Mob,” the story of street smart kangaroos moving into Australia’s capital city as a group of ecologists follow their every move.

Nova “Bombing Hitler’s Dams” at 8 p.m. Wednesday recreates the extreme engineering challenges faced by British engineer Barnes Wallis and the pilots who dealt a mighty blow to the Nazis in 1943 with the aid of six spectacular experiments.

Fresh and seasoned indie rock hits the stage with The Head and the Heart and Gomez on Austin City Limits at 10 p.m. Wednesday.

For three decades, journalist Bill Moyers has asked meaningful questions and explored ideas at the forefront of the public debate. This week, he discusses his career on Overheard with Evan Smith at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Every summer the Austin Lyric Opera organizes “Opera Odyssey,” an opera camp with kids ages 8 to 12. Students produce their own original musical work, design and build sets and costumes, and learn the business of opera. Arts in Context follows their journey at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through the creative process which resulted in the original production “The Quarantine.”

Join Chet Garner as he travels to Canyon Lake, Texas to explore the Natural Bridge Caverns, ride through the Wildlife Ranch, and take a dip in the lake on The Daytripper at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Independent Lens at 9 p.m. Thursday presents “Have You Heard From Johannesburg?”, a mini-series that chronicles the unprecedented international movement of citizen activists who fought for three decades to bring down the brutal, racist system of apartheid in South Africa when their governments would not.

Called “the most exciting individual in American theater” by Newsweek magazine, Anna Deavere Smith (The West Wing, Nurse Jackie) turns her theatrical exploration to matters of the human body with “Let Me Down Easy” on Great Performances at 9 p.m. Friday.

Alternative rock superstars Arcade Fire return to the ACL stage for the second time to perform hits and tunes from their Grammy-winning LP “The Suburbs“ on Austin City Limits at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Thursday, January 12th at 7:30 pm
repeats: Sunday, January 15th at 2 pm

Every summer the Austin Lyric Opera organizes “Opera Odyssey”, an opera camp with kids ages 8 to 12. Students produce their own original musical work, design and build sets and costumes, and learn the business of opera. ARTS IN CONTEXT followed their journey through the creative process which resulted in the original production “The Quarantine”.

#207 Super WHY and Jasper’s Cowboy Wish
Monday, Jan. 16, 9am (repeats: Friday, Jan. 20, 9am)Howdy Partner! Whyatt and his friends are playing cowboys, but Pig can’t join in because he doesn’t know what cowboys do. The super readers jump into the tale Jasper’s Cowboy Wish and make the acquaintance of a cowpoke named Jasper who’s desperate to become a rompin’ stompin’ cowboy if only he could get the hang of it! When Jasper must use his cowboy skills to save the day, will he be a hero…or will this be his last roundup?Educational Objectives: To explore the Old West. Young viewers will sing the alphabet, practice the magic of spelling, learn what the word saddle means, and use the power to read to change the story.

#208 Super WHY and Baby Dino’s Big Discovery
Tuesday, Jan. 17, 9am (repeats: Monday, Jan. 23, 9am)ROAR! Pig invited his friends over to play dinosaurs, but Whyatt can’t figure out which toy dinosaur he has. So he super readers soar into Baby Dino’s Big Discovery where they lend a hand to a baby dinosaur searching for his mommy. They’ll need to look closely to figure out what kind of dinosaur Baby Dino is…and be careful to avoid being eaten while they do!Educational Objectives: To learn about dinosaurs, follow the alphabet, rhyme with ANT words, find out what the words “herbivore” and “carnivore” mean, and use the power to read to change the story.

#209 Super WHY and Princess Gwennie Saves the Day
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 9am (repeats: Saturday, Jan. 21 & Tuesday, Jan. 24, 9am)Princess Pea is feeling dramatic (as usual) and she and Red are staging a play. Princess is pretending she’s a queen but Red doesn’t know what to be! The super readers fly into the story of a princess with a silly sense of humor and a big job to do. They help Gwennie use her talents to save the day, and Red discovers her own special gifts.Educational Objectives: To learn about medieval times. Kids will sing the alphabet, practice the magic of spelling, learn what the word “harp” means and use the power to read to change the story.

#210 Super WHY and The Great Robot Race
Thursday, Jan. 19, 9am (repeats: Wednesday, Jan. 25 & Saturday, Jan. 28, 9am)Ready…steady…splat! Whyatt and his puppy want to win the porridge race, but the bowl of breakfast cereal keeps falling off the puppy’s back. This is a super MESSY problem! The reading friends visit The Great Robot Race and encounter a boy named Bradbury who is determined to help his robo-doggie to win a race too! Both Bradbury and the super readers will have to use a little creative problem solving to help robo-doggie zoom to the head of the pack!Educational Objectives: To learn about innovation, experiment with the alphabet and rhyme with ING words. Preschoolers will also learn what the word “fins” means and use the power to read to change the story.

New York based singer/songwriter Elle King has a voice that sounds like Billie Holiday having a shot of whiskey with Johnny Cash. Born in Ohio and raised in Brooklyn, King blends those worlds of both grit and mid-western charm. On many “musicians to watch” lists for her blusey rock charms, King is an “incredible talent with a beautifully unique voice and simple yet effective song writing ability (Hollywood Is A Verb).” Sample her music on her website

The new year is a time for resolutions and for many of us that includes a renewed commitment to exercise and healthy eating. Sid the Science Kid premieres “Get Up and Move!” this January, a special episode designed to motivate kids to run and play outside and make healthy food choices.

Sid the Science Kid
“Get Up and Move!”

A Special Episode on Exercise and Healthy EatingPremieres Friday, January 6, 10am
(repeats Monday, January 16 & Thursday, February 9, 10am)

Sid is super excited, because teacher Susie announced that today is full of surprises-healthy surprises! First the class walks to a local park where they get to run around and play outside in the fresh air! Susie teaches the kids how to do yoga, and when it’s snack time, the kids get another special surprise-they get to pick fresh vegetables from a community garden! Yum! Next, Susie teaches the kids her favorite childhood game-Red Light, Green Light! It’s a great way to move your body, and it’s fun! Back home, Sid tells his Mom about his amazing day, and Mom is inspired to plant a garden in the backyard. Sid then comes up with a new family tradition-taking a walk every day together! It’s easy to do and it’s a fun, healthy way to move your body!